Buru buru~
While he was focused on reviewing, the Radio Snail suddenly rang.
Shano casually put down his pen and answered the call.
"Hey, bro, it's me."
On the other end came Nojiko's voice, "According to your instructions, we've just completed the assessment of two Super Rookies."
"Oh? How did it go?" Shano asked with a smile.
"That undercover navy guy named Drake, didn't you want to keep this guy to spread false information to the navy? I acted like I believed his story and just let him pass."
"As for Bartolomeo, I originally thought he was a fanatic and might be troublesome, but it turns out he can stay clear-headed deep down. Quite surprising. His Barrier-Barrier Fruit is also very powerful. With some training, he could quickly grow into a reliable senior cadre."
"He's not someone with a bad reputation?" Shano raised a slight eyebrow.
"Not at all, I specifically asked about this."
That was reassuring.
Shano nodded lightly.
He had a rather deep impression of Barto.
In the original timeline, this guy witnessed the scene of the lightning striking down and saving Luffy, thus considering Luffy as the child of destiny and became a die-hard fan, and a year later, went out to sea as a pirate.
He's quite a bold and loyal guy.
But he's also a downright villain, having murdered many civilians, even earning the title of "Ogre."
Using the moral standards of past life to judge people of the Great Pirate Era is too harsh, but there should still be some basic bottom line.
Shano did not want Endgame to turn into the Straw Hats Grand Fleet, collecting all sorts of riffraff just by sharing a drink.
Fortunately, now it seems that this native of Log Town has had his destiny altered by his former self, and is walking a very different path.
This is indeed worth celebrating.
"Once you're done over there, come back to Crescent Island tomorrow."
Shano thought for a moment and said, "It's been a while since we had a banquet, and Uncle Zeff has prepared a lot of dishes, so it's a good opportunity to hold a little party tomorrow night to welcome the new members."
The four major armies are still in the integration phase, with new members joining constantly, and frequent mobilization, so it's not yet possible to hold a large banquet.
But the Endgame Headquarters has already been settled ahead of time.
Zoro, Sanji, Tashigi, Chopper, along with Fujitora who just joined before heading to Shampodi, totaling five people, won't have any changes in the short term.
We might as well have a simple celebration.
There was also Law, but this guy was caught in a dilemma, not wanting to be separated from his crew.
So Shano straightforwardly granted his wish, making him the captain of the Second Unit of the Combat Corps, allowing him to continue leading his previous crew, maintaining a certain degree of independence.
"Got it!" Nojiko replied enthusiastically, "I'm wrapping things up here too, I should be back by tomorrow morning."
"Great, see you then."
...
The next morning.
After waking up, Shano yawned and walked from the bedroom to the dining room, habitually pouring himself a cup of black coffee.
He's been under a lot of stress these days, too tired indeed, without this stuff, he couldn't really keep it together.
The good news is, all the reviewing required was completed by staying up late last night, starting today, he could gradually resume normal life.
"Here you go."
Zeff brought over breakfast, and along with it, pushed a round plate with a metal lid in front of Shano, chuckling:
"Take a look inside, that kid Zoro wanted to thank you for the sword you gave him and specifically entrusted me to bring you this pre-meal fruit."
"Return gift from Zoro?"
Shano raised his eyebrows in surprise, putting down the coffee cup with interest and lifted the lid.
This unlucky kid, his destiny has shifted a lot as well.
Firstly, because Kuina didn't die, he shifted from Three-Sword Style to Dual-Sword Style.
Also because Sanji took up swordsmanship, and grabbed Kitetsu from the weapon shop in Log Town.
Therefore, Zoro, who arrived in Log Town later, only bought a Skillful Grade Blade "Snow Strider," and missed out on the Great Grade Blade "Autumn Water" that he was supposed to inherit from his ancestor Ryuma.
The other blade he's using till now was a piece of junk seized from East Sea pirates, not fitting the identity of a Sword Master at all.
Shano looked at him pitifully, and gave him the "True Blade Edge" he obtained last lottery, making the poor kid very happy.
According to Sanji who spread the story around, Zoro was so excited he couldn't sleep well for several nights, carrying it tightly wherever he went, even holding it in his mouth when he went to pee, like it was a newlywed wife.
"This is..."
An unusually shaped fruit entirely orange-yellow, covered with spiral patterns like a giant mango appeared in sight.
"It's actually a Devil Fruit."
Shano laughed out loud, "That kid actually has such a treasure, where did he get it from?"
"He said he found it floating on the sea while he was exploring in Paradise."
Zeff shrugged, wiping his hands,
"But you know this kid's temper, Kuina chose not to eat the fruit, pursuing the pure Sword Master path, so naturally he wouldn't want to be outdone, and kept the fruit as a collector's item, preparing to give it to a new member joining the Two-blade Adventurer Group."
At this point, Zeff couldn't help but laugh:
"As a result, the partner he was waiting for never showed up, and now he's finished the entire first half by himself, joining Endgame, he doesn't need this thing anymore."
"I don't need it either."
Shano sighed, he himself had three Devil Fruits in hand.